Google to issue flood alerts in India using its apps

Google will provide flood warnings in India via its Google Public Alerts, according to an announcement by the company. These alerts are likely to help people with critical information during natural disasters.

Google said that it will be using the data provided by the Central Water Commission (CWC). “Users can now find flood alerts with river level information for more than 170 areas in which the CWC has active observation stations,” the company said in its official blog.

The flood alerts will be made available on:

Google web search

Google Now cards in the Google app

Google Maps and

Public Alerts homepage

So what will Google display in these alerts?

Apart from issuing alerts, Google will give people information that will consist of details about the disaster along with a map and an expected timeline. It will also feature tips on how to stay safe

The search engine giant added that it is constantly trying to improve its Google Crisis Response tools. Apart from the flood alerts, Google said it has already worked on issuing cyclone alerts with the help of the India Meteorological Department. This was introduced in 2015 and it covered cyclone’s projected area of impact, estimated time of arrival and safety tips.

“By making critical and life-saving information more widely available to people around India, we want to help more people prepare for natural disasters, and hopefully protect more lives together,” Google further added.

Meanwhile, the company also announced that it released new features and resources that offer users better online protection. It noted that these features are part of its Safer Internet Day celebrations.

Simpler Security Settings

Users can use the Security Checkup feature for Google Account that has recovery phone number feature, increasing the password setting strength to the account that has been connected.

Easier to sport Gmail messages

Google has said that it will start rolling out notifications to Gmail users and Google for Work customers that will warn them in case they receive any messages from non-encrypted or unauthenticated sources.

Promote awareness about online safety

Google is working with several partners in India to raise awareness about internet safety. It said that it has collaborated with Consumer Voice and is training community organisations in 27 states. It also noted about its collaboration with the Data Security Council of India to run awareness programme for small- and medium-sized enterprises.